Mix of conditions get the best out of the sailors at Gaastra Dragon Worlds
September 10th, 2009
Lay day was very welcome to most of the teams. Five races were sailed in different conditions. Sunday and Monday offered winds between 12 and 16 knots and lots of sunshine. Tuesday was still very sunny but with light winds. The change in wind also showed in the results. Hoj Jensen who was in the lead after three races, had two top 20 finishes on Tuesday which dropped him back to second place behind Lars Hendriksen. Hendriksen sails the UKR 7 and so far has the most consistent serie (1,5,8,8,5). In third place is Ruslana Taran, she won the last race on Tuesday.
Top 5 provisional results after 5 races:
1. UKR 7 Hendrikson - 1,5,8, 8,5 =27 points
2. GBR 745 Hoi Jensen - 2,3,4,17,15 =41 points
3. UKR 9 Ruslana Taran – 9,14,19,12,1 =55 points
4. DEN 392 Valdemar Bandolowski – 13,19,9,13,6 =60 points
5. SUI 297 Ulli Libor – 11,10,10,15,21 = 67 points
When six races are sailed there will be a discard of the worst result in the serie.
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Schonherr and Talan showed to be the best in tropical weather
September 8th, 2009
Medemblik - The third day of the Gaastra Dragon Worlds was a very difficult one. In a very light breeze and beautiful, 27 degrees, weather, the competitors had some difficult and long racing to do. Jorgen Schonherr (DEN 396) won the first race. Second race was won by Ruslana Taran (UKR 9). The Dutch Gaastra Team (NED 395) Marc Blees, Ben Kolff and Gerben van de Werff showed to be some serious competitors, not to be under estimated, they did a 2nd and 11th place.
More details about today’s races will follow shortly. Tonight there will be the big Gaastra Worlds dinner in the Bonefacius church of Medemblik. Tomorrow is Lay day.
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Perfect racing day at Gaastra Dragon Worlds
September 7th, 2009
Medemblik was a little bit like the Caribbean today. 12 to 16 knots of wind, high temperatures and lots of sunshine for the 67 competing teams at the Dragon Worlds. Two races were sailed which brings the total series to three races. Englishman Poul Richard Hoj Jensen leads the provisional results closely followed by Ukranian Lars Hendrikson and German Dirk David. Boats from five different nationalities make up the top ten.
First race
The fleet had a big split after the start. Danish Jorgen Schonherr led the fleet round the first mark going in to the run. In the second lap the right side of the beat was favoured. Thomas Műller made a big gain and captured the lead at the top mark followed by Frenchman Jean Breger.
This was also the finishing order. Hoj Jensen came in third.
Second race
After two general recalls the racing committee hosted the black flag. The fleet came off the line clean with no individual recalls. The right side of the course still was favoured. But Hoj Jensen chose the middle of the course and was leading at the first mark. He lost his lead on the second beat to Russian Victor Fogelson. Who extended his lead during the rest of the race. Danish Frank Berg came in second followed by the first female skipper Cavia Wilkinson-Cox from Great Britain.
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Lars Hendriksen wins first race
September 6th, 2009
Medemblik - In a nice 8 - 14 knots breeze, 68 dragons showed up at the start of the first race of the Gaastra Dragon Worlds. The conditions weer difficult because of variating and shifty winds, but it was very fast and tight racing. The Dutchman Bram de Wilde (NED 311), Lars Hendiksen (UKR 7) and Poul Ricard Hoj Jensen (GBR 745) were fighting at the front of the fleet for the victory in this first race.
In the end Lars Hendriksen showed to be the strongest and most consistent sailor and won the race. Lars hendrikse: “I am so happy to win the first race of this prestigious event. It was very fast and difficult racing, but we were in good shape and were able to beat Bram de Wilde and Poul Ricard Hoj Jensen”. After the race, drinks and fresh fried fish was served, with some traditional Dutch live organ music. The Gaastra Dragon Worlds is a big succes up to now; great sailing and super socials!!
Photos of todays racing can be found in the Media section of this website.
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Largest International clog dance during World Championship Dragon sailing in The Netherlands
September 5th, 2009
Today the largest International clog dance ever took place. At least 300 people from 14 different countries put on the Dutch wooden clogs during the World Championship Dragon sailing in Medemblik, The Netherlands. The typical Dutch folkloric dance was the kick-off event for the Dragon Worlds that starts tomorrow.
Follow the Dragon Worlds Twitter on: http://twitter.com/Dragonworlds09
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